Button



(No Model.)

0. T. SMITH.

BUTTON, STUD, 6w. 110301.292. Patented July 1,1884.-

N. PETERS Pholoumu n hur, wnhin mn. D. c.

UNITED S'rarns Parnrvr rricn.

ORVILLE T. SMITH, OF BROOKLYN, NEIV YORK.

cor-row, area, as.

t-FJPECIPICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 301,292, dated July 1,188

(No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ORvILLn T. SMITH, of the cityof Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Buttons, Studs, and Analogous Articles of Jewelry, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates more particularly to sleeve or cuff buttons and studs, but may be embodied in lockets and analogous articles of jewelry.

The principal object of my invention is to enable retail jewelers to provide a great number of different styles and patterns of buttons, studs, and analogous articles to suit the varied tastes and requirements of customers, by the use of a small number of frames or shells, and acomparatively large number of ornamental center-pieces bearing designs, figures, or initial letters. of various forms, and capable of being removably secured in the frames or shells to form any combination which the customer may desire. In this way the retail dealer, by a comparatively small outlay for stock, can meet the requirements of a large trade.

The invention consists in novel combinations of parts hereinafter described and set forth in the claims, whereby the desired object is attained. 4

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a front or face viewof a sleeve or cuff button embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a back view thereof, with the shoe or back plate removed. Fig. 3 is avertical section of the button. Fig. 4 is a face view of a button of slightlymodified form, also embodying my invention. Fig. 5 is a sectional view of said modified button, and Fig. 6 is a back view of the button with the back plate or shoe removed.

Similar letters of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures.

I willfirst describe thebuttou shown in Figs.

1, 2, and

A designates the frame or shell, which is here shown as formed of thin 1l1GtLl,2tl1tl\V1llCll is also shown as of rectangular 'form with rounded corners. In the outer face of the frame or shell A is here represented a rabbet, a, and the post B, which is bi lt'urcated, is

cured to the shoe 0, and is made to straddle the rabbet a, and is secured to the inside of the shell or frame A.

D designates an ornamental center-piece,-

which may hear an initial lettersuch as 13, for instanceor any ornament likely to be required. In connection with the said frame or shell A, a large number of centerpieces may be had, from which a selection may be made to obtain the desired letter or ornament. The center-piece D is capable of being inserted directly into or placed in the rabbet a of the frame or shell from the front thereof, and can be removed therefrom only by a movement directly outward. In connection with the centerpiece to be so placed in the frame or shell A, I employ locking devices which are accessible from the back of the frame or shell only, and which are preferably spring-actuated. As here shown, the center-piecel) has rearwardly-projecting headed studs or pins Z), which pass through an opening in the frame or shell A at the bottom of the rabbet a. At the back of the frame or shell is a bow-spring, c, which is secured in the post 13 at c, and which is retained in proper place by loops c", attached to the frame or shell. The ends of this spring have in them key-hole slots, of slots consisting of circular portions or eyes 0* and narrow portions 0*? The spring 0 has a tendency to expand, and when its ends are pressed together the centerpiece D may be placed in position in the frame or shell, the heads of the studs or pins 1) passing through the eyes 0*; but as soon as the spring is released its ends springapart thereby causing the narrow slot portion 0" to embrace the studs or pins 1) behind their heads, and so to hold the center-piece against outer move ment. In order to add to the strength of the spring 0, I mayemploy a re-enforcing spring,

(1, securedin the opposite side or portion of the post B, and having its ends bearing on the ends of the spring 0 to press them apart. If it is desired to change the center-piece shown for another having a different ornamention, all that is necessary is to press inward the ends of the spring 0 to bring the eyes 0* opposite the heads of the studs or pins b, and the center-piece may then be removed and another substituted therefor.

In the example of my invention shown in vIOO Figs. 4, 5, and -6 the button consists of a frame or shell, A, a shoe, 0, a post, B, rigidly connecting them, and a removable ornamental center-piece, D. The frame or shell is"sor ne what different in form from that first described; but it has a deep rabbet, a, in which the center-piece D may be placed at the front of the frame or shell. At opposite points in the frame or shell are notchese, which receive springs f, secured at one end by loops f or otherwise to'the frame or shell, and at their other ends notched at f* to engage the edge of the center-piece D. To insert the centerpiece D, it is simply pressed into the rabbet a, and by acting on the springs f deflects them or presses them. outward until opposite their notches f whereupon said springs react or diametrically-opposite points, and thus hold it securely against outward displacement. By springing the springs f outward the centerpiece D may be emoved and a different one substituted.

In order to hold the center-piece, D, more securely against outward displacement, I may provide the inner ends of the springsf with T- shaped heads f which are connected by a tie consisting of two rods or pieces, 5/ provided with right and left hand threads at their adjacent ends and connected by a turnbuckle, h. The rods or pieces 9 g, have in their outer ends elongated holes or slots 9', and before they are connected by the turn-buckle it they may be adjusted to a position at right angles to that shown in Figs. 5 and 6, in which position their slots g may be passed over the T-shaped heads f and when swung into line they cannot become accidentally disengaged from said heads. The turn-buckle h being then applied to the adjacent screw-threaded ends of the rods they may be drawn together to contract the springs f tightly upon the edge of the center-piece, D, which cannot then become disengaged from them. The connection or tie g g h passes between the two portions of the bifurcated post 13, and when the centerpiece is to be removed and another substituted, all that is necessary is to turn the buckle h to lengthen the connection or tie.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a button or analogous article ofjewelry,

movable ornamental centerpiece capable of being inserted into or placed directly in said frame or shell at the front thereof, and springactuated locking devices, substantially as described, accessible from the back of the frame or shell and serving to secure the center-piece therein, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

3. In a button or analogous article of j ewelry, the combination, with a frame or shell, of a removable ornamental center-piece fitted thereto, and spring-actuated locking devices, substantially such'as described, for securing said ornamental center-piece in a manner to permit its removal and exchange for another when desired, substantially as and for the-purpose herein set forth.

4. In a button or analogous article of j ewelry, the combination, with a frame or shell, A, having arabbeted front, of a removable ornamental center-piece fitting therein and provided with headed pins or studs 11, projecting rearward through an opening in the frame or shell, and the locking-spring 0, having slotted ends 0* 0*, engaging with said headed pins or studs, substantially as and for the purpose herein described.

5. In a button or analogous article of j ewelry, the combination,with the frame or shell A, having a rabbeted front, of the removable ornamental center-piece fitted thereto and provided with rearwardly-projecting pins or studs b, the locking-spring 0', having its ends capable of engagement with and disengagement from said pins or studs, and the re-enforcing spring (I, all substantially as and for the purpose here in described.

ORVILLE T. SMITH.

NVitnesses:

FREDK. HAYNES, O. E. SUNDGR'EN. 

